The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-08-26
WATERING HORSES.
How to Prevent Serious Gastric DerangG
ments and Other Ailments.

How to Prevent Serious Gastric Derange-
ments and Other Ailments.
There is no doubt that waterin O
horses at improper times often causes
serious gastric arrangements. Not
withstanding what we have heretofore
said against the vicious practice of
giving farm horses full drafts of water
Immediately after feeding, too many
persons persist in the practice. The
owners of driving and racing horses do
not make this mistake. The result is,
much of the food swallowed is washed
out of the stomach undigested, and
often carried far into the region be-
yond the stomach. Hence the food is
not only undigested, but it is a pro-
nounced source of irritation. No horse
should be allowed to take a large draft
of water for an hour after eating; in
fact, he will not do 50 if he be allowed
to drink what he wants before eating.
Many persons suppose it is wrong to
allow a horse to drink largely of water
before eating. It is only true in view
of the fact that neither man nor animal
should ever get so thirsty as to drink
inordinateIy. But the taking of a con-
siderable quantity Of water on an
empty stomach in the morning, is not
necessarily inimical to health. The
stomach being empty, and filled with
water, it does not remain there, but
largely passes into the cecum (blind
gut), and thence is absorbed into the
system.
If water be withheld from necessity,
the animal economy is called on, and
delivers up the moisture of the muscu-
lar system and of the viscera. When
it again becomes possible to give water
it is drank largely and thus is alb
sorbed, and the several parts again re-
sumo their natural proportions. Dur
ing hot nights the body becomes dry,
and hence large quantities of
water will sometimes be taken
in the morning. But, when an animal
is very thirsty, it will take moro than
is necessary. In this case do not allow
drinking to full satisfaction. Withhold
what should not be taken at the first
draft, and at the end of twenty minutes
after water again. In a majority of in
stances only enough will be taken to
fairly wet the mouth and throat.
After the horse has eaten, water may
be offered. In this case no more will
be taken than may be necessary to
fairly mOisten the food-often none.
The rational practice is to offer the
horse water at every opportunity in hot
weather and when on a journey; to
give water in cold weather at least
once between meals. In hot weather
he horse should be allowed to drink
lightly at every opportunity, but if
heated, water should not be given IN
less a mile or two of exercise is to be
taken thereafter.
Another thing to be observed in the
watering of horses is this fact: The
horse Graves pure water, and prefer
ably, cold. Cattle seem inclined to
drink water not cold, and seem not
averse to pond water, yet no animal
should be allowed to drink from stag
nant pools, especially horses and mich
cows. In winter no farm animal should
be compelled to drink ice water In
the more complete stables water is
kept before horses ut all times. A
slowly filing gallon vessel is placed in
the manger with waste pipe attached
near the top. To this the horse will
turn when thirsty. drinking slowly. and
pften while feeding be viii moisten his
mouth TO assist lac mtstication of dry
food. This provided, there is no doubt
but dry food is better than wet food for
the working horse. Farm, Field and
Stoctmaas